FORGIVENESS

"The joy of this truth is that once I can believe that forgiveness for myself, then I can believe it for anybody. I have new eyes to see beyond my neighbor's sin & love him or her with the love of Christ."  John Fischer, Men's Devotional Bible 

CHRIST NOT WORKS

"We cling to Christ's blood that atones for all our sins & that makes all works done in faith good & pleasing to our heavenly Father. As Paul proclaimed: "We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal. 2:16). Our good works please God not because they are perfect or because of the amount of good works we have done, but because they are done in faith in Christ. Those works are covered by the blood of Christ--& they are truly good works because of our Lord Jesus Christ. So at the end of our life, it is not the number or greatness of our good works that we cling to. We cling to Christ alone."  Rev. Andrew Packet, The Lutheran Witness, Sept. 2020

AN ADVENT HYMN

"Come, O long expected Jesus, Born to set Your people free; From our fears & sins release us By Your death on Calvary. Israel's strength & consolation, Hope to all the earth impart, Dear desire of ev'ry nation, Joy of ev'ry longing heart.

"Born Your people to deliver, Born a child & yet a king; Born to reign in us forever, Now Your gracious kingdom bring. By Your own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Your all-sufficient merit Raise us to Your glorious throne."  Come, O Long-Expected Jesus," LW #22